Competitors Unite For Legalized Online Gambling In California

Published on August 15, 2009 by April Gardner

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians has added themselves to the growing list of supporters for legalized online gambling in California. The tribe is hooking up with card rooms around the state to push legislative law changes.

This is not the first time that rival gaming groups have teamed up. In recent months, the two major Connecticut casino resorts have partnered on a billboard ad campaign. The goal-to topple the Atlantic City casino industry once and for all. The billboards are set all across the New Jersey Turnpike.

In California, the card rooms and the Morongo tribe are not happy that offshore Internet gambling operations are taking potential customers away from them. They want the laws changed so they can drive out the illegal online gambling that is currently taking place.

"It's a way to head off competition," said Morongo Spokesman Patrick Dorinson, as reported in The Desert Sun, "This would be a game for Californians run by Californians. In a state strapped for cash, this will definitely bring in revenue."

The plan for legalized online gambling is not fully supported in California. Some people believe that the plan has not been examined enough to become law. Time is needed, these people insist, for state lawmakers to determine the best way to go about Internet gambling legalization.

The state of California is one of the leaders in the US when it comes to gambling. They have many casinos that bring in millions of dollars in revenue to the state, and Governor Schwarzenegger has continued to ink agreements with Indian tribes for more casinos.